MEMBER NEWS: Xodus launches major floating offshore wind study

August 14, 2020
MEMBER NEWS: Xodus launches major floating offshore wind study

Global energy consultancy Xodus Group has launched a three-year collaborative research project on the costs around floating offshore wind.

The study, led by Xodus through the IDCORE programme, is a collaborative partnership between the Universities of Edinburgh, Strathclyde and Exeter as well as the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). To enable the best industry outcomes, Xodus is issuing an open call to developers and technology suppliers to engage with the study from the outset.

The project will be key to ensuring floating wind can be a serious contender in the energy mix going forward and will result in a tool designed to assist in key decision making for floating offshore wind projects. It will also create guidance to assist with project finance decision making and to reduce uncertainties in floating offshore wind energy yield assessments.

Titled ‘Improving the Bankability of Floating Offshore Wind Projects’, the study will tackle the challenges and risks that project developers have in acquiring finance for floating wind projects and develop a methodology to use floating LIDAR data for bankable energy yield assessments.

The study will explore the impacts of floating structures on modelling wind resource and incorporating the impact of met ocean conditions on site considerations.

Scott Hamilton, Renewables Division Manager at Xodus said: “We have a strong track record of engaging with leading academic research and are proud to be leading this collaborative project in floating offshore wind. It’s important for us to be investing in future skills that the industry needs.

“We are openly inviting developers to engage with us on this project from the outset, and we expect the outcomes to provide much needed innovative research in this area and deliver benefits to the wider wind industry.”

The IDCORE programme addresses future challenges to develop leading technologies and train world-class scientists and engineers essential for the UK to sustain its global status in the ORE sector.

Xodus is already invested in IDCORE, with two of its consultants having already gained their doctorates through the scheme. With support from Xodus’ technical team, the research will be carried out by Ben Smith, a graduate from University College London.

Companies interested in participating in the research should contact: [email protected]

Get in touch

AREG is the original energy transition organisation, working on behalf of members to empower the energy supply chain and champion its expertise. Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to find out more about membership.

Contact Us
“

AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

Scottish Renewables
“

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
“

The enthusiasm and dedication of the early group that would become AREG was fundamental in us choosing to launch All-Energy in Aberdeen. The first tiny show was held in 2001, and AREG’s Chairman at the time, Jeremy Cresswell, played such an active role that I often describe him in terms such as All-Energy’s ‘midwife’. All-Energy is now the UK’s largest renewable and low carbon energy exhibition and conference in terms of number of attendees, space booked, and number of exhibiting companies. As AREG became firmly established, their presence and support for the event grew spectacularly over the years. We thank them most sincerely for their invaluable input.

All-Energy
“

Vattenfall has forged a strong working relationship with AREG through the development of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. AREG has worked tirelessly on behalf of the North East and it can take enormous credit for the growth of sustainable energy in the region and the path it has cleared for the region to capture further investment.

Vattenfall
“

Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

Scottish Enterprise